DETROIT – Officials say an off-duty officer reported information to an on-duty officer of someone firing shots from a gold Chevy Malibu, which led to a pursuit and crash on Detroit’s east side.
The incident occurred on Tuesday (June 11) at 6 p.m., and police said the Malibu subsequently crashed into a black SUV that flipped over from the impact at Chandler Park and East Outer Drive.
Officials say officers did not fire any shots during the pursuit, but the crash sent a mother and her 9-year-old daughter to the hospital.
“There were some individuals in the car that were hit,” said Detroit police Commander Jevon Johnson. “We have conveyed them to Detroit Receiving Hospital, and everyone is in stable condition, but we’re still monitoring that.”
The incident was caught on a doorbell camera, and the video was given to Local 4.
There’s been debate over the last few months on when to chase and when not to pursue in the interest of public safety, but Johnson said this situation was different than others.
“Well, when somebody is actively firing shots, and they pose a significant threat, we take that very seriously in regards to life and limb,” Johnson said. “As a matter of fact, we have patrols in this area, specifically for the parks, to make sure everybody has a safe time, so that will definitely be a life and death situation. The officers did it as safely as they could, and the suspect unfortunately struck the other vehicle.”
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Johnson said both occupants occupying the Malibu were arrested. He said a weapon was recovered from inside the vehicle as well.
There is no word on what and or who the occupants of the Malibu were shooting at nor how fast they were going.
“We’re still investigating the accident portions, so there’s many parts to the case, and they will all unfold, but fortunately, we still have the victims that were hit in our prayers, and fortunately, we were able to get a gun off of the street and two people into custody,” Johnson said.
